Feature Creature at Tate Modern [2002]

Performance, Film, Video & Sound Installation

Feature Creature was specially designed for the Turbine Hall at Tate Modern. Inspired by this extraordinary soaring space, CiCi Blumstein in collaboration with Aerotrope designed an aerial sculpture composed of 5 huge flying mobiles, animated from the ground by dance artists. The installation embodies and subtly transforms the movements, ambient sounds and moods of audience and space over time, opening up human perspectives and resonances within the surrounding architecture. Throughout the performance, the audience are free to dance with the Feature Creature. The movement & design concept evolved from my on-going practice of two movement forms, Butoh and Contact Improvisation. In this project, I wanted to bring together the inner contemplation and intensity of Butoh with the playful exploration and openness of Contact Improvisation. Since this first performance in 2002, the project has developed into different strands and continues to evolve – see more here …

“Among the most spectacular events to be staged in the UK was the mounting of a giant helium filled model at London’s Tate Modern museum.” – BBC News

Micro cameras and radio microphones attached to the Feature Creature inflatables captured images and sounds directly into a live-mixed, interactive sound & video installation by Testcard. On the same day, a second film crew filmed children in workshops with authors as they rode in the pods at the London Eye [part of the Reading Revolution event]. This footage was then brought back to Tate Modern and mixed in with the live video & sound installation. More than 10,000 visitors saw the Feature Creature performance at Tate Modern, and over 450 school children interacted with it on the day.

Since this first performance in 2002, the project has developed into different strands and continues to evolve – see more here …